Chloe Zhang
Plastic waste is a global issue that affects biodiversity and human life, with low prices for plastic collection resulting in plastic ending up in oceans. However, some organizations are tackling this issue by incentivizing plastic collection and creating innovative solutions to turn plastic into gold. For instance, Malaysia introduced a scheme where people can earn gold by recycling plastic bottles and aluminum cans, while scientists are creating lightweight gold from milk protein and plastic with the material properties of gold. These initiatives not only address the plastic waste crisis but also provide economic opportunities for collectors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Method | Mixing gold nanocrystals, protein fibres, and a polymer latex with water and salt to create a gel, before replacing the water with alcohol |
| Put the mixture into a high-pressure CO2 chamber, where the alcohol reacts with carbon dioxide to produce a gossamer-like aerogel | |
| Apply heat to mould the aerogel | |
| Shape at just above 105 degrees Celsius (221 degrees Fahrenheit) | |
| Properties | Has the material properties of plastic |
| Much lighter than pure gold | |
| Can be moulded at a much lower temperature than pure gold | |
| Acts and sounds like plastic when dropped | |
| Has the 18-carat purity of gold | |
| Applications | Can be used in most applications where gold is used |
| Social Impact | Can be used to address the global plastic waste crisis and poverty |
| Can incentivize plastic collection and provide a stable source of income for collectors | |
| Can help eliminate problematic or unnecessary single-use plastic packaging |
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What You'll Learn
- Malaysia's HelloGold app offers gold for recycled plastic
- Plastic Bank incentivises plastic collection, creating income for members
- Ocean Legacy's mission is to turn ocean plastic into gold
- ETH Zurich scientists create gold with material properties of plastic
- Super-light gold made from milk protein can float on coffee
Malaysia's HelloGold app offers gold for recycled plastic
Malaysia has a low recycling rate of just 17.5%, and awareness of the need to recycle is low in the country. To address this issue, Malaysia's HelloGold app has partnered with KLEAN, a reverse-vending machine (RVM) company, to offer a unique recycling scheme that incentivizes Malaysians to recycle plastic bottles and aluminum cans by rewarding them with gold.
Here's how it works: users start by downloading the HelloGold app from the Google Play Store or Apple Store and registering for an account. They can then bring their plastic bottles and aluminum cans to any KLEAN RVM for recycling. The machines collect, sort, and crush the plastic bottles and aluminum cans on-site. For each recycled plastic bottle or aluminum can, users receive KLEAN e-credits, which they can choose to convert into 0.00059 grams of investment-grade gold through the HelloGold app. This gold can be bought, stored, or sold for as little as RM1 through the app.
The partnership between HelloGold and KLEAN aims to encourage greater recycling in Malaysia by showcasing the potential wealth that can be gained from recycling. By turning recycled plastic into gold, the initiative also helps to reduce plastic waste in the environment, as Malaysia is one of the top ten contributors to plastic waste in the oceans.
The concept of exchanging plastic for gold is not entirely new, as similar initiatives have been implemented by organizations like Plastic Bank, which aims to stop ocean plastic by monetizing waste. However, the HelloGold and KLEAN partnership is the first of its kind to offer gold as an incentive, making it a novel approach to promoting recycling and addressing the global plastic waste crisis.
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Plastic Bank incentivises plastic collection, creating income for members
Plastic Bank is a social fintech company with a global bottle deposit program that helps end poverty and stops plastic pollution. The company incentivizes plastic collection by offering individuals and businesses the opportunity to exchange plastic for money, social benefits, and other perks.
The process is simple: individuals over 18 years old can register through the Plastic Bank app and start gathering discarded plastic from the environment. The collected plastic is then exchanged at local collection branches for additional income and social benefits. This not only helps the environment by reducing plastic pollution but also empowers individuals to improve their economic situation and pave a path out of poverty.
Plastic Bank has established a robust presence with over 500 collection branches in communities facing poverty and plastic pollution. The company's operations span Indonesia, Brazil, Egypt, the Philippines, Thailand, and Cameroon, with headquarters in Canada. Local entrepreneurs are empowered to set up collection branches in convenient locations, making it easier for community members to participate.
The impact of Plastic Bank's initiatives is significant. Every bottle collected prevents plastic waste from polluting oceans and land, protecting ecosystems and wildlife. Additionally, the collected plastic is transformed into new products, supporting a circular economy. For community members, the income earned through plastic exchange provides a stable source of income, meeting daily needs and even covering essential expenses like health insurance.
By addressing the intersection of plastic pollution and poverty, Plastic Bank offers a global solution that not only improves lives but also contributes to a healthier planet.
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Ocean Legacy's mission is to turn ocean plastic into gold
Ocean Legacy is a recycling organization that aims to turn ocean plastic into gold. Led by Chloé Dubois, the executive director, Ocean Legacy participated in what was dubbed the largest marine debris cleanup in Canada during the summer of 2016. The organization collected foam, plastic bottles, and frayed rope, all of which were hand-picked by volunteers from the western shores of Vancouver Island.
To turn ocean plastic into gold, Ocean Legacy employs various methods and technologies. In one instance, they partnered with Lush cosmetics, who donated a warehouse for sorting and recycling driftage. Ocean Legacy also offered to pick up, sort, and recycle materials from other organizations involved in cleanups, such as the Sail and Life Training Society, the Surfrider Foundation, and the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council.
Additionally, Ocean Legacy has applied for grants to purchase specialized equipment, such as a plastic washer and chipper, to process ocean plastic into a sellable commodity. This technology will enable them to break down ocean plastic into smaller pieces, increasing its value and marketability.
While Ocean Legacy focuses on collecting and recycling ocean plastic, other organizations like HelloGold in Malaysia have implemented a unique approach. HelloGold, in collaboration with KLEAN, a reverse-vending machine company, offers Malaysians the opportunity to earn gold by recycling plastic bottles and aluminum cans. For each recycled item, individuals receive virtual points that can be converted into investment-grade gold through the HelloGold mobile app. This initiative incentivizes recycling and provides a stable source of income, addressing the issues of plastic waste and poverty simultaneously.
By turning ocean plastic into gold, Ocean Legacy and other organizations are not just creating value from waste but also contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable environment. Their efforts help reduce plastic pollution, improve biodiversity, and provide alternative sources of income for communities affected by poverty and plastic waste. Through their dedication and innovative approaches, these organizations are leading the way toward a greener and more prosperous future.
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ETH Zurich scientists create gold with material properties of plastic
ETH Zurich scientists have successfully created lightweight 18-carat gold with the material properties of plastic. This innovative achievement involves embedding gold nanoplatelets within a latex matrix, resulting in a material that combines the lustre of gold with the flexibility and processability of plastic.
The process, developed by Professor Raffaele Mezzenga and his team, including Leonie van 't Hag and Mohammad Peydayesh, starts by mixing gold nanocrystals, protein fibres, and a polymer latex with water and salt to create a gel. The water is then replaced with alcohol, and this mixture is placed into a high-pressure CO2 chamber. Here, the alcohol reacts with carbon dioxide to form a delicate aerogel.
By applying heat to this aerogel, it can be moulded into various shapes, much like plastic. The gold created through this method can be crafted into intricate designs at temperatures as low as 105°C, far below the melting point of pure 24-carat gold, which is 1,064°C. This expanded range of malleability opens up new possibilities for gold craftsmanship.
The lightweight gold produced by ETH Zurich scientists is expected to be highly desirable in the jewellery and watch industries, as it offers a more comfortable wearing experience without compromising the allure of traditional gold. Additionally, this gold has potential applications in electronics, chemical catalysis, and radiation shielding.
Beyond its practical advantages, the process developed by ETH Zurich is notable for its sustainability. The protein fibril sponges used to create the gold are derived from whey, a byproduct of the food industry. This approach not only transforms waste into a valuable resource but also provides a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional gold extraction methods, which often rely on toxic chemicals and energy-intensive processes.
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Super-light gold made from milk protein can float on coffee
Super-light Gold from Milk Protein
Scientists have developed a new type of super-light gold made from milk protein that is light enough to float on coffee. This innovative material has the unique property of having the material properties of plastic while preserving the 18-carat purity of gold. The creation of this lightweight gold involves a specific process that begins with mixing gold nanocrystals, protein fibres, a polymer latex with water and salt to create a gel. The water is then replaced with alcohol, and the mixture is placed in a high-pressure CO2 chamber. The alcohol reacts with carbon dioxide, resulting in the formation of a delicate aerogel. With gentle heating, this aerogel can be moulded, requiring a much lower temperature compared to melting pure 24-carat gold.
This lightweight gold has a fascinating duality, as it looks and sounds like plastic when dropped, yet it retains the genuine purity of gold. This duality is a result of the careful combination of materials and the unique production process. While this super-light gold has intriguing characteristics, its initial version had limitations in terms of stability and processability, hindering its use in applications where gold is typically utilized.
To address these challenges, scientists set out to create a new version of lightweight gold that could be more stable and suitable for a wider range of applications. This improved version aimed to maintain the lightweight nature of the material while making it more durable and workable. By overcoming these limitations, the new lightweight gold can find a broader range of uses in various industries and applications where gold is commonly employed.
While the specific details of the updated production process are not publicly available, it is clear that the scientists involved have made significant strides in enhancing the stability and processability of this unique material. This super-light gold made from milk protein showcases the innovative possibilities in material science, offering a glimpse into the future of lightweight, durable, and valuable materials that can find applications in a variety of industries, including jewellery, electronics, and more.
Although the idea of floating gold may seem like a magical concept, this innovative creation demonstrates the potential for revolutionary materials that challenge our traditional understanding of substances and their properties. The development of super-light gold from milk protein opens up exciting avenues for further exploration and innovation in the field of materials science, inspiring new ways of thinking about the substances that shape our world.
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Frequently asked questions
You can't literally turn plastic into gold yourself, but there are companies that will reward you with gold for recycling plastic. For example, Malaysians can earn gold by recycling their plastic bottles and aluminum cans at KLEAN Reverse Vending Machines.
Users can bring their plastic bottles and aluminum cans to any KLEAN RVM for recycling. After depositing the bottles or cans in the machine, users can choose to convert their KLEAN e-credits into gold through the HelloGold mobile app.
Malaysians receive 0.00059 grams of investment-grade gold for each recycled plastic bottle and aluminum can.
Recycling plastic helps prevent plastic from ending up in the ocean, which can cause flooding in the rainy season and provide breeding grounds for pests and diseases.
Scientists have been able to create a type of gold that has the material properties of plastic. This lightweight gold is made by mixing gold nanocrystals, protein fibres, and a polymer latex with water and salt to create a gel, before replacing the water with alcohol. The alcohol is then put into a high-pressure CO2 chamber, producing a gossamer-like aerogel that can be molded with heat.
